And Finally…. The Californian Went To Yosemite. Here’s What We Did!

I was such a bad Californian… it took me 3 decades to get to BEAUTIFUL YOSEMITE! How in DA HELL?! I know. I know. It’s like living in New York and never having been to New York City. Everyone, all my life: “You’ve never been to Yosemite?!??!??!?!??!”

The shade they’d throw at me! For real.

But this summer, Dan the boyfriend and I went to Yosemite. We DID the damn thing. And had such a great time! And finally I can say, yes I’ve been. So shut the hell up! lol lol jk.

Going to lay out for you my favorite stops/hikes/things to do in Yosemite! I can’t wait to go back one day.

GETTING INTO YOSEMITE.

TIOGA LAKE.

Going in from Mammoth Lakes direction. We stopped at this REALLY BEAUTIFUL lake called Tioga Lake. I’m sure there are things you can do there, but just pulling over to admire the scenery is worth it.

Even in July there was still some snow!

FIRST YOSEMITE STOP: Tenaya Lake.

It’s like a beach/lake and it is so so so peaceful. Trees everywhere (the cutest walkway to get into it once you park) and everyone just laying down towels and eating, drinking, chilling. We stayed there for an hour or two and just talked and enjoyed the scenery. I loved it.

NEXT STOP: One of the gorgeous random fields you will be passing! JUST FOR FUN. There are all these beautiful open fields that just make you feel like you are in the sound of music. We got out of the car a few times to just go and see. I’m a big fan of getting out of the car often to look around.

My cutie boo!

NEXT STOP: Half Dome Village.

Okay- go here even if you don’t stay here! We stayed there for a night but even if we didn’t it’d be so worth going just to explore. There are open fields, a stunning river with sand all around, places to hang up a hammock. 360 degree views. I mean wow. This place is so beautiful. Go. Pack a picnic. Take a walk. Thank me later!

NEXT STOP: Vernal Falls.

We actually went here because a VFer recommended it! Now I must tell you… this is a hike hike. Not some short easy thing. You WILL get a BIG workout from it. And should you decide once you get to the top to extend it even further by taking one of the loops…. whew. Be ready to possibly regret going that far LOL. By the end of it I was soooooo beat. I loved hiking TO Vernal Falls (absolutely gorgeous) but going beyond that was too much for me. Too much sun! Too hard on the knees by the end of it. But man the views were spectacular.
Of course Dan had to go all the way out to the Falls! So brave!

Looking like such a dork lol.

And of course, on your way out (or in) you gotta get a picture at TUNNEL VIEW. It’s iconic. And you owe yourself that shot. 😉